The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-09-23
SELECT STORY.
A MOTHERS INFLUENCE.

D''hS'h5 'hSO hhO tnt
muscular form Of Orrin Eden, the vii
lage blacksmith, as he hammered away
at a horse shoe, striking out a shower
of sparks with each stroke upon its
h eated surface.
He was a fine specimen OF the hum
an race, with his tall, well-knit figure,
his frank sun-browned face, and bright
kindly eyes, whose expression was in
full harmony with the pleasant curves
which softened the frmness of lips
ever ready to break into smile at the
sight of a child's face or the sound of
a fresh young voice.
His passionate foudness for children
was well known among those keen
readers of nature and one or two was
always sure to be playing near his
smithy.
AT the time our story opens, two
lads stood near attracted, first by the
glare of the red-hot Goals, then amused
by watching the motions of the busy
workman.
They were the children of widow
ed mother, who had been married
when scarcely sixteen, and who had
followed her dearly-loved young hus-
band to the grave when her youngest
boy was but three months old. She
had been called the prettiest girl in the
village before her marriage, and since
her widowhood her sad delicately tint.
ed face had seemed to gain more
ethernal loveliness. Little Teddy was
now six years old, and his brother
Willie was two years his elder.
After a while the children grew tired
of merely looking on. and bright
idea soon entered into Willie's active
mind. Quantities of old, rusty, broken
nails lay scattered about, and they
would form a splendid stock-in-trade
"Ted," he asked eagerly, "let's play
we're blacksmiths. Well pick up these
old nails and carry them home. l will
build bonfire, and we will have grea,
fun!' And suiting the action to the
word, Master Will commenced to fill
his apron with the coveted treasures
Teddy's blue eyes flashed with delight
as he followed his brothers example
At last, laden with spoils, the children
started for home.
Nelly Canlis stood in the doorway
of her tiny cottage, Watching for the
approach of her darlings. She looked
almost too girlish to be the mother o.
the two sturdy lads who rushed to
wards her, pleased at the thought Of
their new project.
Her greeting was smile and kis:
upon each blooming pair of cheeks
Then her eyes caught sight of the well
filled aprons. Before she had time t.
question them Willie commenced:
"Oh, mamma, such fun! Ted and
are going TO have make-believe forge
| am going to be the smith, and Ted
going to get his horse shod."
"And l am going to blow the bel
lows for Willie. .chimed in Teddy.
"See!" said Willie, proudly display
ing his rusty acquisitions. "And Ted
aprons full, too!''
Without showing her secret disma,
at the sight of the despoiled apron
which she had washed and ironed s,
carefully the day before, the littl
mother said pleasantly:
"Where did my pets get such pro
digious stock to set up business with?
"From Mr.. Eden, mamma"
81 hope you were particular to thanl
him for giving them to you"
| Will and Teddy looked at each othe
in a shamefaced way, as though ne,
idea had been presented to them.
| Then Teddy blurted out:
"We took them, mammal"
An expression new to her childre
rested upon Nelly's face now; and Wi
shifted from one foot to the other, an
Teddys rosy lips began to quiver whe
the mothers voice gave additions
meaning to the sternness which ha
come into the eyes that usually wer
so soft and tender, and both the boy
began to cry.
81 had more faith in you, Will,
than to think you would either tax
anything yourself that did not righ
fully belong to you, or suffer you
little brother to do So"
"Oh, mamma! | didn't know it We
wrong, and will never do SO again,
you won't be angry"
81 am not angry, Willie; | am ju.
broken. hearted. thought l ha
trained up my children to be honest
and the mothers tears mingled wit
those of her boys.
"We will take them back to M
Elden, and tell him we are sorry, an
will never do such wicked thin
again; won't we TeG?"
"Yes, answered Teddy, contritel,
"Very well; that is the best thin
you can do; and will go with yo,
and help to explain how it happene,
So Mr.. Eden won't think yon were il
teItionally dishonest"
1t was not long before the littl
group reached their place of destins
ton.
| Orrin Eden looked up with no
and smile at the children, and
CHEEKY "Good day, Mrs. Canlis," I
their mother.
A crimson flush burned on Mr.,
Canlis' delicate cheek as, taking th
boys by the hand, she led them fol
ward, and said:
"My little ones have come to te
you they are sorry for taking you
nails without permission. They hav
brought them back and will never d
such a naughty thing again."
| Orrin Elden's puzzled face was
study as he looked from one to tn
other of the tear-stained, rosy oheeke
urchins. AT last he commenced SLOW
| ly and deliberately;
"Mrs. Canlis," he said, 81 alway
thought you woman of good sens'
but either you mean to insult me, c
you've lost your mind, to make a fuf
over few worthless old nails. Th
lads are welcome to hundred of 'en
that is, if they can find 'em: and
| A restraining imperative gestur
from the young mother checked hin
"Boys," she said, turning to the Gu
prits, "You may run on towards hom'
and wait for me at the stile.'
| AS soon as they were out of hearip
she turned to the indignant owner